Popular GG High coach resigns

The Garden Grove High football program needs to find a new head coach.

Two weeks ago Willy Puga, perhaps the most successful head coach in the history of the program, resigned from his post. He leaves Garden Grove High after a four-year stint.

He made the decision due to what he perceived as “a lack of support from the school district.”

“It’s that rule,” said Puga, who referred to a district rule that allows assistant coaches to receive no more than four stipends. “Not so much the district … well, the district won’t get rid of that rule, but it’s primarily that rule that I don’t like.”

Puga explained that last year his squad had seven coaches with only six stipends. In other words, two coaches actually had to share one stipend.

The district allows for four stipends per team. The Garden Grove High football team raised the other two by fundraising. The district – not GG High football boosters – then disperses the amount of the other two stipends.

Puga wants all seven of his coaches to be compensated for their time. He also said all played a vital role in the team’s success.

“I need these other coaches,” he said. “I can’t do everything.”

Puga hasn’t received much help fundraising either, which tended to wear him out.

“It’s hard to get that done here and it’s a lot of work,” said Puga, who believes parent involvement has dropped off. “I’m exhausted.”

Puga might be a victim of his own success. After all, the league titles, three CIF finals appearances and one CIF championship have created high expectations in the community. The district could also interpreted his ability to win under the current conditions as proof the rule should not be altered.

“It’s just too hard to sustain that level of success, though,” Puga said. “Something has to change.”

Puga originally joined the program as a walk-on coach, but quickly took over the head coaching spot. The team went on to win three Garden Grove League titles and make three appearances in the CIF final round, winning the championship during the 2010 season – which also happened to be his debut.

“It was great,” Puga said. “We got some really great players – and I got great memories. It’s just that now that we have won titles, the district and parents expect me to win every year. It’s tough. It’s really tough when other schools have an advantage and don’t have to worry about these rules.”

The district can actually change the stipend rule. It has that power, but Puga interprets its continual refusal as a lack of support.

Puga also criticized the condition of several facilities, such as the weight room, which he described as “run down.”

Despite leaving on tense terms, Puga refused to rule out the possibility of a return to Garden Grove High, or to a school within the Garden Grove School District.

“I would come back if the district changed,” he said.

Last week Puga even met with members of the Garden Grove Unified School District to discuss the rule and the facilities. He said he has no plans to return next year.